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“Lennox,” he replies as he shakes her hand. “Are you working for Mr. Eric too?”

She nods. “Yep. Just started. Hey, Lennox, do you know the farm well?”

“Heck yeah, I do. You want me to show you my favorite place here?” he asks.

“Sure. I could use a good tour guide,” she states as she follows Lennox out the door.

“She’s cute,” Joy says as she watches her grandson lead Ariana over to the side barn where we keep a few animals.

“She’s got a lot to learn, but she may work out,” I declare, not wanting to address the fact that I agree she’s cute. Hell, she’s more than cute, she’s gorgeous. But I can’t linger on that thought. I suddenly wish I had time to visit a nearby town for my several-times-a-year hookup with a woman who’s an airline pilot. She’s not here a lot, which is just fine by me, but right now, I wish she was around so I could get rid of this sudden urge I have. I need to keep my head straight. No distractions. I look back at Ariana. God, it’s going to be hard to keep myself from getting distracted.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Ariana

“And this cow is named Mooman,” Lennox announces as he leans over to pat what looks like a small Highland cow.

“Hi there, Mooman,” I greet as I pet the cow’s head. “Mooman’s pretty cute.”

“Yeah, I guess so. But I like Barkley best,” he says.

“Who’s Barkley?” I ask, looking around as if another cow might appear.

“The dog?” Lennox says as if I’m stupid.

“Oh, right…the hound dog?” I ask as I vaguely remember a floppy-eared spotted dog around here.

“Yeah. He’s super cool. Pricilla is cool too though,” he adds as he walks back through the barn.

“Pricilla?”

“The cat.”

“There’s a cat too?” I ask, looking around again. Lennox points to a half wall between two stalls. I squint and see a long gray cat stretched out, fast asleep.

I walk over to her and Lennox grabs my hand and puts his finger to his lips. “You have to be quiet. She’s got babies in her belly. Mr. Eric says she needs her rest.”

“Oh?” I walk softly up to her and she lifts her head and meows. “Hey there, cutie,” I say softly as I lift my hand for her to smell. She plops her head back down and I stroke her soft fur.

“She’s nice,” I say with a smile.

“I guess so. She doesn’t play fetch like Barkley though,” Lennox says as he kicks a tennis ball on the ground.

“So, do you come here a lot when you are off from school?” I ask as I turn to head back to the office.

“Yeah. Gran Joy watches me. But mostly I come out here and play. Sometimes I help Kingsley in the store. Mr. Eric says I’m a good helper.”

“I bet you are. Well, I should get back inside. Thanks for the tour, Lennox,” I say.

“Miss Ariana?” he says.

I bend down and smile. “You can call me Ari. That’s what all my friends call me.”

He grins. “Miss Ari, I like your hair.”

I laugh as I twirl a piece between my fingers. “Thanks, Lennox.”

“I bet Mr. Eric thinks you’re pretty,” he adds as he skips off like what he’s said is no big deal. I feel my cheeks heat and I try to take some breaths as I walk back to the office. He’s just a kid after all. He’s probably just being silly. Eric seems to have his whole life together. I’m sure he would only ever view me as a kid-sister type.